SALINAS, CA - Church Brothers Farms announced changes to its Sales and Marketing departments, with Greg Corrigan joining the company as Director of Sales, West, and Loree Dowse promoted to Vice President of Marketing & Communications.

With more than four decades of experience in the fresh produce industry, Greg Corrigan has built a career from the ground up, rising to leadership roles that have shaped both retail and foodservice produce sectors. He spent 35 years with Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, starting as a produce clerk at Bel Air Supermarkets and advancing from district supervisor to Vice President and Senior Director of Produce and Floral, before serving as CEO of the United Vegetable Cooperative. Following this, he provided consulting and brokerage support to retail produce operations and, most recently, led retail business development for Sysco/Freshpoint.

A graduate of California State University, Sacramento with a B.S. in Business Administration and Management, Corrigan has also served in numerous industry leadership positions, including Chairman of the Board of the United Fresh Produce Association and the Fresh Produce and Floral Council. His contributions to the industry have been recognized nationally, including being named “Retailer of the Year” by The Packer in 2017.

As Director of Sales, West, Corrigan will focus on building Church Brothers Farms’ retail sales initiatives by identifying business development opportunities and growing national retail partnerships. With his extensive experience and proven record of leadership, Corrigan is well-positioned to strengthen the company’s market presence and support its long-term growth objectives.

Loree Dowse has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing & Communications, bringing more than two decades of experience spanning fresh produce, financial services, and global communications. Since joining Church Brothers Farms in 2023 as Director of Marketing, she has led initiatives to strengthen brand positioning and drive engagement across retail and foodservice channels. Previously, she held roles at Del Monte Fresh Produce/Mann Packing, Wells Fargo, and Porter Novelli International. Dowse has a BA in English from UCLA.

In her new role, Dowse will oversee all marketing functions, including brand strategy, digital marketing, communications, customer experience, community engagement, and internal events.

“With Greg joining the team and Loree’s promotion, we’re really deepening our Sales and Marketing bench,” said Jeff Church, Chief Operating Officer of Church Brothers Farms, in the recent release. “Greg has second-to-none industry ties and a proven ability to build customer partnerships that drive growth, while Loree has consistently demonstrated leadership and creativity in shaping our brand and communications strategies. Together, their expertise strengthens our team and positions us for more success.”

For more information about the company and its products, visit ChurchBrothers.com.

UNITED STATES - If you’re hosting the Jonas brothers, you'd better have celery and almond butter on hand.

A healthy twist to a classic snack, the celebrity siblings recently lit up when Jimmy Fallon brought out a veg-powered treat to toast the end of an interview: Ants on a Log and Champagne.

Fallon pointed out a detail he had noticed while attending a Jonas Brothers concert: On the group’s rider—the list of requests a performer sets as criteria for performance typically fulfilled by the hosting venue—is the celery-based snack.

“We’re bringing it back,” Kevin and Joe Jonas said when the crowd seemed not to know what Ants on a Log was.

And they certainly might be. The spotlight already warranted a People story that not only recapped the moment but also dove into the history, variations, and details of Ants on a Log.

“If the Jonas Brothers can make celery cool again, maybe it’s time we rethink our snack game—Ants on a Log and bubbly!” Nichole Towell, Senior Director of Marketing at Duda Farm Fresh Foods, observed. “Let’s hope it has some upward pull on the celery market!”

It is easy to picture the brothers’ mom fueling her boys with the classic as they all chased their dreams of performing. Certainly, as they’ve grown, they have formed specific preferences.

“I don’t like raisins, just give me the log,” Kevin stated, giving love to celery alone, while Nick and Joe said they prefer almond butter to peanut butter for a healthier twist.

For myself, I’ll take cream cheese every time—cheers!

TOPEKA, KS - Food solutions company SpartanNash® announced the expansion of its Supermercado Nuestra Familia® banner, with plans to introduce the Topeka, Kan., community to the full-service Hispanic grocery experience in November 2025. Opening just in time for holiday grocery shopping, the store will be the fifth under the Company's Supermercado Nuestra Familia retail banner and the first in the state of Kansas.

Located at the corner of 29th Street and California Avenue, the Supermercado Nuestra Familia store will add nearly 50,000 square feet of Hispanic flavors and culture for Highland Crest, Central Highland Park, Oakland, and other neighborhoods in southeast Topeka.

Serving communities since 2013, Supermercado Nuestra Familia is focused on quality, convenience, and community, offering an abundant assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, and dried chiles and spices. Aguas frescas and horchata can be found alongside the fresh-cut fruit; meat is sliced fresh in the full-service carniceria; and tres leches cakes, gelatins, and flans are prepared daily. The cocina features fresh cheeses, creams, and handmade favorites like tamales, enchiladas, beans, and rice. Store guests can also find freshly made corn and flour tortillas in the tortilleria, along with the convenience of a one-stop shop for other everyday grocery staples.

"The brand-new location reflects the tastes and traditions of Topeka's vibrant Hispanic community. Shoppers will enjoy exceptional service from our Associates and a terrific assortment of authentic Hispanic grocery items," said Djouma Barry, SpartanNash Senior Vice President and Chief Retail Officer, in a recent release. "And, as we welcome Topeka Associates into our food solutions company, we're eager to integrate them into our People First culture and provide them with the tools and training for success."

In April 2025, SpartanNash opened its fourth Supermercado Nuestra Familia in Omaha, Neb., with the Topeka location joining its growing portfolio of stores that deliver the ingredients for a better life.

The Company is now hiring Associates for the new location and will announce a grand opening celebration in the coming weeks that will be open to the community. To apply for open positions, including roles in the produce, deli, meat, and bakery departments, visit careers.spartannash.com/topeka.

MIAMI, FL - C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC is partnering with Upside, a leading digital marketplace that connects millions of consumers with retailers nationwide through personalized cash-back offers. Through this partnership, Upside will bring new and infrequent shoppers to C&S-owned stores like Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union, and independent grocers across its network, driving repeat visits and measurable sales growth.

• Who: C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC
• What: C&S is partnering with Upside to deliver greater value and strengthen brand loyalty for Piggly Wiggly, Grand Union, and independent grocers nationwide. Upside’s two-sided marketplace helps retailers drive incremental sales and profits with no upfront cost, while helping consumers get cash back on their everyday purchases. This partnership provides a tech-enabled approach to customer acquisition and retention, unlocking new profit potential amid rising industry pressures.
• When: C&S will highlight this partnership and nationwide roll-out plan at fall selling shows throughout August and September.

Mark McGowan, Executive Vice President, Retail and Chief Merchandising Officer, C&S Wholesale Grocers, said in the recent release: “Our partnership with Upside continues C&S’s strong legacy of braggingly happy customers and our commitment to providing franchisees, independent retailers, and shoppers with a differentiated experience that drives value and loyalty. It’s a win for retailers and consumers, and we look forward to seeing how this collaboration will deliver meaningful benefits for both.”

GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA - Born Farms, a company dedicated to making the unpredictable, predictable, and integrating the entire supply chain, has achieved the highest rating possible under the BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard - AA Certification - for its food safety, quality, and operational protocols.

This rating, earned after a comprehensive third-party audit, reinforces Born’s position as a trusted supplier to the retail and foodservice sectors in North America and the world. With this recognition, Born joins a select group of global suppliers who meet the stringent expectations set by buyers operating under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

19 Years of Food Safety Leadership

Born Farms has maintained BRCGS certification for 19 consecutive years. The AA rating was awarded after auditors evaluated the company across nine core sections and 265 compliance points, with zero major non-conformities. Sections audited include food safety plans, site standards, product and process controls, and personnel hygiene and training.

“Food safety isn’t just something we do during audits—it’s part of our DNA,” said Christopher Safieh, VP of Born, in a recent release. “This certification confirms our commitment to delivering clean, legal, and consistently high-quality produce to our partners across the supply chain.”

“We are all BRC”: Food Safety as a Company-Wide Culture

The certification also reflects Born’s internal commitment to building a culture of food safety. Over the past three years, the company launched ‘Todos Somos BRC’ (We Are All BRC) —an internal training movement that has engaged more than 50 production and operations staff in proactive food safety education. The initiative promotes awareness of preventive measures, reinforces compliance with standards, and empowers staff to take ownership of quality and safety protocols.

Clarity in Compliance

Unlike ISO-based frameworks, BRCGS is structured for precise and practical implementation. Originally designed for UK retailers, the standard is now widely accepted by buyers in the U.S., Canada, and global markets. It provides a transparent, letter-based grading system (AA, A, B, etc.) that offers immediate clarity for buyers evaluating supplier risk.

“Achieving an AA rating gives our partners confidence that we’re not only meeting the minimum—but going beyond,” Safieh added.